I have come to the realisation that there are no shortcuts worth taking. I believe that advertising  and marketing that tell you otherwise is snake oil;  companies employing experts to  convince you that they have the quick and easy answer to whatever ails you.  Child not sleeping at night? Here’s the book to solve it! Overweight? Here’s the pill to fix it!  Need a nutritious breakfast for your family? Here’s a sugar coated, machine formed, empty bunch of calories in a colourful box that your kids will just love!

If you’re reading this you may be considering trying some of these things. I know I have.

Over the years I have tried the health, lifestyle and diet fads. I have low calorie, low carbohydrate, high fibre, antioxidant rich, organic cookery books for adults and children stacked in shelves all over my house. I have books and DVD’s on parenting, education (the bionic wife is a primary teacher), schemes, themes and shortcuts, all guaranteeing that they will help me to be perfect and to raise the perfect child. That doesn’t mean I believe any of them.

“The Bionic Dad” is actually a phrase coined by one of my best friends. His theory was that after the birth of your first child you become aware of your failings and so become driven to develop into more of a role model.  This results in parents embarking on fitness drives, lifestyle changes and the taking up of sports long since consigned to the back of the wardrobe. At the time I thought it was a stupid idea. Now it’s happening to me.  Now I’m online.

So I am going to describe my experiences and the things I have experimented with and am now trying in relation to my goals as a parent.  If I had to sum up what being a bionic dad is I think that it means being healthy and wise.